Wind-wheel



(No Model.)

J'. 0-. PRESTON.

Wind Wheel.

No. 232,205. Patented Sept. 14,1880.

Inventor UNirEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN G. PRESTON, ()F ARGATA, CALIFORNIA.

WIND-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 232,205, datedSeptember 14, 1880.

Application filed July 3, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN G. PRESTON, of Arcata, county of Humboldt, andState of California, have invented an Improved W ind- VVheel; and Ihereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof.

My invention relates to certain improvements in wind-wheels; and myimprovements cons'ist in forming an open skeleton-wheel revolving in ahorizontal plane, and hinging on vertical rods a series of framescarrying the vanes or fans, these frames being adapted to swing edgewiseto the wind on one side, but on the other side to be held by slidingmovable lugs, so that their surfaces are exposed to the wind and thewheel caused to revolve and furnish power.

The vanes or fans are hung on pintles in their frames and weighted attheir lower ends, so that they will automatically present more or lessof an angle to the wind, and when the wind is very strong will swingback while revolving, so as to allow part of the wind to blow throughthe frame.

A collar encircles the central revolving post .or shaft and carries armsor lugs, against Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device.

Fig. Zis a horizontal section. Fig. 3is an edge view of one of thevanes. Fig. at shows the loop for suspending the sliding stop.

The wheel A has a central revolving shaft, 0, and is made with askeleton-frame, as shown, open atall sides. At regular distances aroundthe periphery of the wheel are placed swiveled rods B, on which are hungthe fan-frames 0, these fan-frames being free to swing on these rodswithin certain distances. In each of these swinging frames is placed afan or vane, D, swiveled to the frame above its center, as shown at d,and having a weight, (1, atits lower end to keep it perpendicular inlight winds. If the wind becomes strong, the vane or fan can tilt backon its swivels, so as to allow some of (No model.)

the wind to pass through. The fan can thus regulate itself to the forceof the wind without the necessity of hand adjustment. In a light windthe whole face of the fan will be presented to it, while if the windblows hard the fan, being swiveled, hangs at an angle to the wind, andthus does not give so broad a surface to the wind.

On the central shaft of the wheel is a sliding collar, E, on which aresecured lugs or stops 0, so that when the fauframes swing against theselugs they will be held with the surfaces of the vanes or fans to thewind.

I have shown my wind-wheel as provided with four fans; but it ismanifestthat any numher can be used. When the wheelis standing so thatthe wind strikes it two of the fanframes on one side will strike againstthelugs, thus holding the fans in the wind. The other two frames thewind will throw away from the lugs, so they will hang in line with thewind, and no pressure will be exerted upon them. All the pressure,therefore, being exerted on those two fans which touch against the lugson one side of the wheel, the wheel is compelled to revolve. As therevolution continues one of the edgewise fans will be swung by the windagainst the lug, while the one formerly against the lug will swing freefrom it and come edgewise to the wind. Thus two fans will be heldbroadside to the wind at all times, while two will be edgewise to it,the power being continuously exerted on one side of the wheel.

In case it is desired to have the wheel revolve in an opposite directionthe sliding collar is moved up the shaft, and all the frames swung so asto impinge on the opposite sides of the lugs on said collar. The sameaction will then occur, except that it does so in the reverse direction.

If at any time it is desired to stop the revolution of the wheel, thesliding collar with its lugs is moved up the shaft above and out ofreach of the vanes, and there secured by the catch F. The fans then, notstriking the lugs, all hang edgewise to the wind, and the wheel does notrevolve.

Stop-bars G are placed at regular distances on theperiphery of thewheel, which prevent the vane-frames swinging too far out. Chainsconnected with said frames will answer the purpose; but the stop-barscontrol the movements of the frames with less noise than the chainswould. A series of wheels formed in this manner can be placed one aboveanother and geared together, so that immense power may be gained. Thevanes may be made of wood, metal, canvas, or any desirable substance.

The whole wheel can be mounted on aframe set on a bed provided withwheels, and by attaching a rope to the shaft when the wind is blowing itwill haul itself from place to place, drawing itself up to the placewhere the other end of the rope is made fast. This feature is a usefulone in grubbing up roots and stumps, for which this wind-wheel is welladapted. It can be made of very large size, but at all times control itsown movements with relation to the wind, so that no damage can occur.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In combination with the wheel A and the weighted swinging fans D andfan-frames C, the centrally-placed collar E, with its lugs 0r stopse,*said collar being adapted to be moved up the shaft clear of saidfan-frames, whereby the fans may be made to impinge on the lugs, so asto rotate the wheel in either direction, or the motion of the wheel maybe stopped, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

2. In combination with the wheel A, revolving in a horizontal plane, andthe hinged frames 0, adapted to impinge on the lugs 0, the swiveledweighted fans orw'anes D, whereby the said vanes automaticallyregulatetheir angle to the wind, substantially as and for the purposeherein set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN C. PRESTON.

Witnesses (mas. G. YALE, S. H. NoURsE.

